Game On (8 page)

“Will do.” Misty walked away, shaking her head.

“Do you eat like that all the time? If so, I'm surprised you don't weigh five hundred pounds.”

His voice went down a notch or two. “Not at all. But it will make a great story for all the patrons to tell. Word of mouth is the best publicity there is.”

“You sound like a politician.”

“Well, you're the one who told me to start acting like one. So I am.”

“So I did.” She plowed into her chicken-fried steak. Delicious. After a few bites and a long sip through her straw, she looked at him. “What are you doing here? I thought you needed to go to DC.”

“I postponed that. Decided the last thing I needed right now was more publicity. Elizabeth will reschedule it.” He shrugged. “I figured a few days back here would do me good. Did you listen to my message?”

“Not yet. I haven't had time.”

Misty walked over with a giant helping of the cobbler topped with ice cream. “Here you go, Senator.” She pulled a camera out of her pocket.

He tensed.

Nikki was suddenly aware of his thigh resting against hers. It felt too familiar. She scooted away.

“Mind if I take a picture of you eating?” Misty pointed at the wall behind the counter. It was decorated with other patrons enjoying their food.

“Not at all.” He picked up his spoon, scooped it full, and then moved it up to his mouth.

Misty snapped a few pictures. “We might try to get it in the paper if that's all right with you.”

“Have you ever known a politician to turn down publicity?”

Misty laughed. “Can't say that I have. Of course, you're the only one I know.” She looked over at Nikki and then back at Lucas. Her eyes narrowed. “Hey, weren't the two of you an item at one time in high school?”

****

Nikki almost choked on the chicken-fried steak. She swallowed. “I wouldn't say we were an item. We dated a few times.”

Lucas hid his smile. It was fun watching her squirm a bit, trying to avoid the question.

“Yeah, it seems to me that the two of you were head over heels. I mean, you don't go to the prom with just anyone. Whatever happened with the two of you anyway?”

Nikki stuffed another bite of her chicken-fried steak in her mouth even though she was coughing from the last piece.

Lucas took pity and rescued her. “Graduation happened. I went off to college while Nikki kept breaking hearts here in Maiden for a few more years.”

“That's right. You were older than us.” Misty grinned. “And that silver hair proves it.”

“It proves nothing except that I come from a long line of premature gray-haired men.”

“It looks good on you. So…what's this little luncheon about?” Misty grinned.

“Just a coincidence, really. I had no idea she'd be here.”

“Same here,” Nikki managed to say as she reached for her soda. “Two old friends catching up. That's all.”

“I don't know. The two of you look awfully cozy. Just the way you used to.”

“That was all a long time ago, Misty. Please don't put that in the paper.”

“I won't. But it's odd, both of you showing up here at the same time. Know what I mean?” Misty grinned.

“That's what I was just saying to Nikki. Both of us showing up in Maiden at the very same time and here at the restaurant. Serendipity, right?” Lucas winked at Misty. “It must mean something.”

Misty looked at each of them with a knowing smile. “You still make a great-looking couple. It wouldn't surprise me if God has something in mind for the two of you.”

Nikki's face flushed red as she protested. “That is so ridiculous, Misty. I'm a private investigator in Florida and he's about to become a US senator. God definitely has no plans for the two of us. Together.”

Misty shook her head. “I'm just saying.”

“Well, don't say it again. Please.” Nikki set her fork down. “I am so over marriage. One time was more than enough for me. No offense, Lucas.”

Misty laughed. “Amen to that, sister.”

Lucas agreed wholeheartedly with them. He had no intention of ever marrying again, but a little flirting was good for the soul. He winked at Misty. “But you just never can tell what God has planned.”

“That's for sure. God sure can surprise us.” Misty laughed as she walked away.

“I can't believe you said that.” Nikki glared at him again, this time for real. Her whisper came out as a hiss. “Why would you say such a thing? We aren't supposed to even be in contact with each other. The plan won't work if—”

“What did you want me to say?” Lucas laughed. “Besides, I didn't bring up our past. She did. I couldn't very well act as if we never saw each other before, could I? That we were complete strangers. Then she would have thought something was really odd.”

“As far as I'm concerned, we are complete strangers.” She glared. “And I plan on keeping it that way.”

“Don't worry. I'm quite content with being a bachelor. Romance is the last thing on my mind. Gives me more time for work.” He scooped a bite of the berry cobbler into his mouth. “And like you said, I'm all about the politics.”

“Good. Just don't forget it, or I will give you back your check.”

“We need to talk about that.” Perfect opening for what he had to say. “I don't want the check back, but I don't need your services any longer.”

“Excuse me.” Her eyes grew wide. “Yesterday it was so much of an emergency, you flew down to Florida to talk me into taking a case I didn't want, and now today you no longer need my services? That doesn't make sense.”

“I've had some time to reflect, and I think you're right. It's probably all a prank and I'm overreacting.” He forced his voice to sound casual, unconcerned. That wasn't exactly the truth, but he needed to keep Nikki safe.

Nikki pushed her plate away, only half-eaten. “I'm not buying it. What really happened, Lucas?”

“Nothing happened. I changed my mind. Simple as that. Keep the check for your trouble.” He scooped another bite of the cobbler into his mouth.

“What trouble? I didn't do anything to earn it. I don't need your charity, Lucas. I make a good living at what I do.”

“I know that. It's just easier for my accountant if you accept the check. Donate it to your favorite charity if you want.”

Her nails clicked on the speckled tabletop as she stared at him.

He had to make her believe that nothing was wrong. If she had an inkling that he was trying to protect her, she wouldn't be happy.

“Lucas, you were practically begging me to help you yesterday. And now all of a sudden, my services aren't needed? I don't think so. I said I'd help you. I haven't listened to your voice messages yet. Is that why you kept calling me over and over?”

Nikki was too smart for her own good.

If he told her about the message, it would only make her more insistent. She didn't seem the kind of person to back down from a fight. Or from danger. He had to come up with a plausible reason. “Not exactly.”

“Then what were you calling about?”

“It wasn't all that important. I got another email yesterday and sent it to you. I just wanted to know if you'd received it.”

She pulled out her phone and scrolled. Finally, she looked up. “Nope. Not one email from you.”

Good. This was one time he was glad they'd messed with his computer. It would be easier to convince her to quit without her reading his panicked email. “Fine, you want the truth.”

“It seems like a good idea.” She sipped her soda.

“I came down to Florida to see you with the thought of, you know, renewing our friendship. After talking with you, I realized you would never be interested in even being friends, let alone more.”

She stared, her mouth dropped in shock. “Just a minute ago, you said you weren't interested in romance.”

He shrugged. “That might have been a slight exaggeration.”

“So what? All that about being stalked was a lie?”

“Not at all. That's all true, but I can find another investigator to help me. It doesn't have to be you.”

She sat there, not saying a word.

He waited for the explosion. It didn't happen.

“I can't believe you scammed me again. And I can't believe I fell for it.” Her voice was quiet, but filled with hurt. Not the anger he expected.

And that made him feel worse. But he'd have to endure it. Better that she never speak to him again than someone hurt her. He couldn't allow that to happen—wouldn't, no matter what the consequences were for himself. “It wasn't a scam, Nikki. I just left out the part that I could hire someone else. I didn't want someone else—I wanted you. That's a compliment. Not a scam.”

She stood up. “Excuse me. I need to leave. And I will be sending the check back. I don't care how big of a headache it causes for your accountant.”

He didn't move.

His hand covered her hand, but she shook it off. “Don't touch me. What? Did you think if you hired me, you'd get some side benefits? I wish I'd never met you.” A look of sadness passed in her eyes.

“That's not true, Nikki. We meant something to each other until I messed it up. You are one of my best memories. I just wanted to see you again. What's wrong with that?”

“You do have a way with words, I'll give you that. But your words mean nothing. Just a politician schmoozing. Trying to get his way once again.”

Their gazes met.

She wasn't thinking about this time. Her words told him just how much he'd hurt her—now and before. Why had he capitulated to his father's demands?

“That's not true, Nikki.”

“I forgive you for all of it, Lucas. Because that's what God wants me to do. But that doesn't mean I trust you. I shouldn't have trusted you then, and I sure don't trust you now. And I never will.” Her words were like the clanging of a prison door.

She picked up her bill, but he grabbed it first. “I'll take care of it. It's the least I can do.”

Nikki nodded. “Fine. Thank you. Let me out.”

“That's it.”

“That's it.” In a louder voice, she said, “It was so nice to see you again, Congressman. Thanks for lunch.”

9

Nikki counted to ten as she marched towards the door. How in the world had Lucas managed to suck her into his world again? And for his own selfish reasons? What was it about him that blinded her to the type of person he really was? Well, it was all over this time. Never again would she let him trick her.

A twenty-something young man stood by the cash register with his cell phone aimed at Lucas.

Nikki moved in front of him, blocking the camera.

His eyes moved from the screen to her. “Hey, get out of the way. I was taking a picture of the congressman. It's not every day I see someone famous.”

“Don't you think he has a right to eat lunch in privacy?”

He ran a hand through his slightly shaggy brown hair and then shrugged. “Not really. The Supreme Court ruled public figures have no expectation of privacy.”

“A wannabe lawyer, huh?”

He glared at Nikki. “No, just someone who knows his rights.”

“That's wonderful. Why don't you give him a little privacy anyway?” Even as she said the words, she realized the irony. That was what Stanley, the cheating husband, had wanted, and it hadn't bothered her in the least to take his picture. And now she was telling this guy to give Lucas some privacy.

His eyes narrowed. “Maybe the two of you have a secret you're trying to hide. Is that it? A little secret rendezvous. Don't want your little tryst to make the news, huh?” He pointed the camera at her and clicked.

“Stop that.” Her hand moved in front of the camera screen. “We're not having anything. I'm just say—”

“Hey, you got no right.” He shoved her out of the way.

She closed in fast. Her hand shoved him away. She whispered, but her tone left no doubt she wasn't joking. “I have no right? You sure don't have a right to put your hands on me.”

From behind the register, Misty sounded panicked. “We don't want any trouble in here. Let's just calm—”

Nikki heard whispers of the other people in the restaurant. This was getting out of hand. In one swift movement, she grabbed his hand, twisted it behind his back, and pushed him towards the door. She looked at Misty. “I'll be back to take care of his check in a minute.”

“Let go of me,” he whined.

“Not on your life.” Knowing the confrontation was her fault, she planned to go outside and apologize to him. He hadn't been doing anything wrong. This may not have been the nicest way to handle it, but a big argument in the diner wouldn't solve the problem. A problem she'd managed to cause. Outside was the place to do it.

The two stumbled down the diner steps together.

“I'm—”

As their feet hit the sidewalk, he turned and shoved her—hard. Her elbow smashed into the cement as she landed. The pain shot through her arm.
Don't react. The guy has a right to be angry.
She held up her hands. “Look, I'm sorry. I overreacted in there. I—”

His foot smashed into her stomach.

Now he'd made her mad. She jumped up, ready to attack, but before she could, Lucas grabbed him.

“That's no way to treat a lady, son.”

“She ain't no lady. Didn't you see what she did to me?” He struggled to get away from Lucas without success.

Lucas appeared unfazed by the commotion. At least on the outside.

Even though she was angry, Nikki forced her voice to sound apologetic. “Look, I'm sorry. I was trying to apologize, but you hit me before I could.”

People spilled out of the diner to watch. Others on the street stopped and stared. So much for keeping a low profile.

“You're the one who pushed me out of the diner.”